'Bleeding eye virus' kills 15 people in Rwanda. What is it and why are doctors worried?

The virus got this name as it attacks the victims' blood vessels, causing them to bleed from various orifices including the eyes.

A deadly virus Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), popularly known as 'Bleeding eye disease' or 'Bleeding eye virus', has lately been keeping health experts across the globe concerned.

A recent outbreak of the virus in Rwanda infected 66 people, and claimed the lives of 15 people as of November 29. The graveness of the disease can be ascertained by the fact that the WHO in October had cautioned against travel to Rwanda.

What exactly is this 'Bleeding eye virus'?

The virus got this name as it attacks the victims' blood vessels, causing them to bleed from various orifices including nose, gums, vagina, mouth, ears or eyes. MVD and Ebola are part of the same family of microorganisms called filovirus.

MVD is transmitted to humans through fruit bats and then spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. What makes the virus more critical is its ability to infect a person without showing any symptoms for up to 21 days. However, symptoms are generally seen within five to nine days, following which it starts damaging the blood vessels. The victim often dies due to organ failure.

Apart from high fever and bleeding from various orifices, it also shows psychological symptoms like confusion and aggression. MVD reportedly has a fatality rate of 88 per cent. However, the latest outbreak in Rwanda saw a far lower mortality rate of just under 23 percent.

Authorities in Rwanda in mid-November had announced end of the virus in the country.